Moon Phases: An Overview

Moon Phases: An Overview
By Molly Hall, About.com



When you know your Moon phase, it opens a whole new dimension. The Sun-Moon relationship at the time of birth show at what point you were born in the never ending waxing and waning cycle. The Sun is yang, radiating, external engagement with life. The Moon, is yin, the reflected light, the instinctual. The solar-lunar relationship shows how you absorb and reflect light (the energies in your environment).

In his book, the Lunation Cycle, astrologer Dane Rudhyar wrote of the lunar phases as an accurate indicator of life purpose and basic personality. Discovering my own lunar phase – balsamic, or Dark Moon – was a revelation for me. It helped me understand my own sense of disconnection to current culture, short intense relationships, an overall mood of wrapping things up. It’s a Moon phase of integrating, and going deep to prepare for the birth of the new.

What is Your Moon Phase?

The lunar phases come from the four crossroads points (Full, New and Half Moons), and four further divisions within those. There are a total of eight Moon phases. Find your own Moon phase, and see chart examples.


New Moon Phase

•On the Lunar Calendar: First days after Dark moon up to 3 ½ days
•Degree: 0 to 45 degrees ahead of the Sun
•Inner Directive: acting on impulses;


Crescent Moon Phase

•On the Lunar Calendar: 3 ½ to 7 days after the New Moon
•Degree: 45 to 90 degrees ahead of the Sun
•Inner Directive: being in motion, emerging


First Quarter Moon Phase

•On the Lunar Calendar: 7 to 10 1/2 days after the New Moon
•Degree: 90 to 135 degrees ahead of the Sun
•Inner Directive: to provoke change, seize the day


Gibbous Moon Phase

•On the Lunar Calendar: 7 to 10 1/2 days after the New Moon
•Degree: 90 to 135 degrees ahead of the Sun
•Inner Directive: to provoke change, seize the day


Full Moon Phase

•On the Lunar Calendar: 15 to 18 ½ days after the New Moon
•Degree: 180 to 225 degrees ahead of the Sun
•Inner Directive: achievement, presentation


Disseminating Gibbous Moon Phase

•On the Lunar Calendar: 3 ½ to 7 days after the Full Moon
•Degree: 225 to 270 degrees ahead of the Sun
•Inner Directive: to spread the message, teach


Third Quarter Moon

•On the Lunar Calendar: 7 to 10 ½ days after the Full Moon
•Degree: 270-315 degrees ahead of the Sun
•Inner Directive: to reassess how things are done


Balsamic/Dark Moon

•On the Lunar Calendar: 10 ½ days after the Full Moon, up to the New Moon
•Degree: 315-360 degrees ahead of the Sun
•Inner Directive: completion, preparation for new



Articles About " Lunar Phases "

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